1. main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io
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Re: Furuno “Loss of GPS”/DOP Error alarm and AIS help

Scott SV Tengah
 

We had a similar problem with our GP-150. The errors showed up right as we left Las Palmas to cross the pond!

I called Furuno and they suggested that we check all of the connections as the head unit itself is not likely to be the problem given our symptoms. 


--
Scott 
2007 A54 #69
SV Tengah
http://www.svtengah.com
Re: I'm going to the Annapolis Boat Show - anyone want SM bow thruster lip seals (free)?

Scott SV Tengah
 

I found another spare part in my boat that I won't need, but may be of use to someone:

Onan 149-2513

It's a fuel filter for the following models: ONAN  HDKCC HDKAH HDKAJ HDKAK HDKAU HDKAT HDKAV

Again, free if you want to grab it at the boat show.
--
Scott 
2007 A54 #69
SV Tengah
http://www.svtengah.com
Re: A54 fridge circulation pump

Scott SV Tengah
 

Oliver,

Could you tell us more about upgrading/replacing the freezer insulation? I assume you mean the one under the settee? 

Did you scrape off all the old insulation and replace? What model vacuum boards did you use? I, too, notice that my freezer compressor is running 24h.

--
Scott 
2007 A54 #69
SV Tengah
http://www.svtengah.com
Re: A54 fridge circulation pump

Scott SV Tengah
 

I just went through this same saga. I purchased what I though were the 512A pumps, which Frigoboat actually rebrands and also sells as their own. Penguin Refrigeration UK advertised those on their website so I bought 4 of them, knowing that with two fridges and a third freezer, the pump is running nearly constantly.

They sent me the 4105-343 which they promised is as good or better. It lasted about 6 months. Thankfully we were aboard, otherwise we would have lost a lot of food! 

I contacted the director of sales at March and he said that their pumps would NOT be suitable for our application. Keep in mind that our refrigeration system was originally plumbed to circulate from the freshwater tank, so the March pump was unable to self-prime and consequently wouldn't work. Might be different with a saltwater cooling setup.

Lately I purchased the Marco UP-2P 24v pump and will run it as a 12v pump, just like the original Frigoboat. The specs seem similar, perhaps with less current draw. They use a teflon impeller gear, so that should be more durable than the diaphragm on the Flojet. Bad news is that it's got brushes and Marco expects 2500-3000 hours from it. The upside is that I can quickly and cheaply replace the seals and brushes. I will install it after the second Frigoboat pump dies and will let everyone know if it works well and lasts longer than 6 months..

--
Scott 
2007 A54 #69
SV Tengah
http://www.svtengah.com
Re: A54 fridge circulation pump

CW Bill Rouse
 

Oliver, 

Which make and model of pump did you replace OEM with?

Best,

CW Bill Rouse
Amel Yacht Owners School - www.YachtSchool.us
720 Winnie St
Galveston Island, TX 77550
+1(832) 380-4970


On Mon, Sep 23, 2019, 3:57 AM Oliver Henrichsen, SV Vela Nautica <oliver.henrichsen@...> wrote:
Hello guys!

We replaced the pump motor by an brushless motor. We had similar lifespan and shorter. Additional the original pump wasted lots of energy in wear.
We also changed the insulation of the freezer to modern vacum boards. Before the freezer compressor was 24 h on, due to poor insulatin. Now we got up to 1.5 h a day to keep it cool.
We also changed the fridge and freezer temperature controll to microcontroller.

Was a hell of a work.

Oliver from Vela Nautica
AMEL54 #39
Portugal


Sent from my Huawei Mobile


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [AmelYachtOwners] A54 fridge circulation pump
From: Sv Garulfo
To: Yahoo Group Amel
CC:


Hello

We have flojet 32601 -0092 Quad series pump r4105512a. ( 12v, 1.5 A max, 1.6 gpm 6.1 lpm, 50 psi 3.4 max) installed onboard as circulation pump for fridges/freezer.

They are relatively easy to source.
We have previously replaced ours and have recently put the spare in service.
They seem to run for about 14months before the brushes wear out (more precisely, the springs on the brushes hit the backstops, brushes still having plenty of material). The pump can be dismantled and refurbished.
* For those running the same model, have you noticed similar lifespan?
* Has anyone installed an alternative model for longer service?
We weren’t expecting to have to replace them this often, and the brushes don’t seem to be available from the vendor for repair.
This may have already been addressed in a previous topic but we couldn’t locate the thread.

Thanks!

Best,


Thomas & Soraya
GARULFO
A54-122
Rangiroa, French Polynesia

www.instagram.com/svgarulfo
Re: A54 fridge circulation pump

Arno Luijten
 

Hi S&T,

Funny you mention this now. I have been using the Flojet pumps as recommended/supplied by Frigoboat. Those are actually 24 volt versions running on 12 Volt to lower the Amp-draw and extend the life span.
The first is true well enough but the second is not. We got 9 months of life out of a brand new pump. Completely worn out. Both the brushes and the commutator no longer serviceable.

So much for continuous duty for Flojet pumps. I have just ordered a March pump. This is a brushless pump with magnetic impeller coupling, so no shaft seal as well. It is a bit of a gamble as this pump is a volume-based pump and not a pressure-based pump like the Flojet.
But it is very much designed for continuous duty. As this is a centrifugal pump it is not self-priming but that is no problem given the location in the boat. The model is 893-11. This is a 12 volt version with open-air cooling and voltage protection. There is a 893-09 as well but model has no voltage protection and can supplied with two different motors of which only one is suitable. So the -11 is to be preferred.
So hopefully by end of November I will know if the pump is capable of moving enough water through the system to make three cooling compressors happy. Based on the displaced volume figures it should be no problem, but the hose/compressor circuit is quite long so the total resistance can be a problem. I paid approx US $250 for the pump, incl. shipping. Thanks to Alex Ramseyer (also on our forum) it will be delivered at my doorstep in some time (Thanks again Alex!).

You can find the pump here: http://www.marchpump.com/pumps/series-893/893-11/

Regards,
Arno Luijten
SV Luna,
A54-121
St. Maarten
Re: Furuno “Loss of GPS”/DOP Error alarm and AIS help

tony wells
 

Thanks Dean

That’s helpful in developing my understanding, as you say.

In fact it turned out the AIS issue was compounded by an intermittent power drop out with the router which we identified on passage to Sicily.

The “No GPS” and DOP alarms are still sounding intermittently. I can’t see how there’s any correlation but it seems more prevalent when closer to land?! There were no alarms when 100Nm offshore!

Thanks again,

Tony
Balthazar A54 #102, Syracuse, Sicily

On 20 Sep 2019, at 13:33, SY STELLA <stella@...> wrote:

Hi Tony,
The Navnet3D system has a failover action with GPS that I’ve observed, which may be relevant to your problem.

Typically there is more than one GPS data source available in a system. In my case it was the FA50 AIS and the GP150. The source to be used is selected as you step through the system installation process. In my case it was selected to be the GP150.
If during normal operation, the source of GPS fails then the system automatically changes to the other GPS source. In my case, the GP150 failed and the system started to use the FA50 AIS as the source of GPS. I knew nothing about the change, as the system just did it automatically.
It took some time before I noticed the GP150 had actually failed and was not supplying GPS data anymore.

This does not help with the question of why your GP150 is faulty, but may help in your understanding of what has happened in your system.

Furuno would not repair my GP150 so I bought a a couple of inexpensive GPS antennas with NMEA outputs and located them behind the instrument table. They are now my (dual redundant) primary source of GPS for the system.

Good luck!
Dean
SY Stella
A54-154
Re: Color number for SM2K Redline

islandpearl2_sm2k332
 

Fantastic to finally meet today Danny, after 8 years of chatting on this forum! What a pleasure to get the two Pacific Amels (Island Pearl II and Ocean Pearl) together at last, and also Amel Ying Yang too. Thanks for making such an effort to getting here in Fiji, and for joining us all for a fun night at the Vuda Marina Restaurant.

We clear out with Fiji Customs in the morning, and will be at sea for the next 4 days sailing to the Loyalty Islands in New Caledonia.

Best regards
Colin & Lauren Streeter


On Sun, Sep 22, 2019 at 6:59 PM Danny and Yvonne SIMMS <simms@...> wrote:

Hi Colin. We are in Sawini Bay tonight, in Vuda Marina tomorrow.

The Pearls may meet at last.

Danny

Sm 299

Ocean Pearl

On 22 September 2019 at 17:44 islandpearl2_sm2k332 <colin.d.streeter@...> wrote:

Thanks Bill

We have the correct official sample of   AwlGrip Desert Sand here at Vuda Point. As you know the painters in Durban got the "Desert Sand" colour wrong on our new hull side stripe when we lifted the waterline in South Africa. Now that we have new sails to put up (with the new Amel trim colour) we will re-paint the hull side stripe with the correct  AwlGrip Desert Sand paint at the end of our circumnavigation in Australia before we sell.

On a different issue - the "Amel Brown trim" - after 8 years of careful ownership we eventually got used to (and now actually like) the blue floors, and bright colourful curtains, but  we could never quite come to terms with the less than appealing "Brown" which Amel chose for side trim rails on all Super Maramu's! Because of this, we first tried a white trim (whilst in Thailand), as Amel did on the last 10 Amel 54's, but whilst that actually looks very nice on the 54, it never looked quite right on the Supermaramu against the Amel off-white gelcoat. We had seen one nice looking Supermaramu with white trim, but later noticed that they had actually "screwed in" a Stainless Steel bead/rod all the way along inside the white trim areas, and we were certainly not prepared to do this.

Based on this, whilst waiting for weather in Durban, we tried painting the brown trim with an "incorrectly mixed/coloured" Desert Sand. It looks barely OK, ...but not great...... and so we now wonder if even the correct Desert Sand colour would look any better on the side trim than the dreaded brown? 

The original Amel "Red Line" series trim colour was never to our liking either, almost too sharp a colour we felt, ... but we thought it worth having another look at the correct colour which Amel chose.

Failing all, and since we will soon be selling anyway, we may well simply go back to the original brown, but perhaps a shade or two lighter? Has anyone out there repainted this trim in a colour which they feel is an enhancement on the original Amel brown?

Colin & Lauren Streeter
SV Island Pearl II, sm #332
Vuda Marina, Fiji Islands ... till Tuesday then off to Loyalty Islands in New Caledonia



On Wed, Sep 18, 2019 at 3:44 AM CW Bill Rouse < brouse@...> wrote:
You might want to think about AwlGrip Desert Sand, which is the new trim color for Amels since the introduction of the 55.

--
CW Bill Rouse Amel Yacht Owners School
 
+1 832-380-4970 | brouse@...
Address: 720 Winnie, Galveston Island, Texas 77550 
     
 


On Tue, Sep 17, 2019 at 12:14 AM islandpearl2_sm2k332 < colin.d.streeter@...> wrote:
Hi All

We would also be interested to get the correct paint number for the trim on the Amel Redline models?

Is there anyone out there that has this information, please?

Kindest regards

Colin & Lauren Streeter
Vuda Point Marina, Fiji Islands

On Sat, Sep 14, 2019 at 9:40 AM Olaf Bauer < olaf.bauer@...> wrote:
Hello AMELians,

could someone provide the color numbers for a SM2K Redline for the white hull, the red water line and the red stripes at the top of the hull at the side.

Thanks so much :-)

Fair winds

Olaf

 

S/V Katchopine, SM2K 392

currently inTrinidad

 

 



--
Colin Streeter
0411 016 445

 

 

 

 



--
Colin Streeter
0411 016 445



--
Colin Streeter
0411 016 445
Re: Canvas work in Eastern Med

Paul Brown
 

I recommend you check price and precise material, time lines, completion dates and supervise the work, they can be good but there has been many bad experiences.

Regards Paul - Fortuna II 55/17


On 23 Sep 2019, at 11:53 am, ngtnewington Newington via Groups.Io <ngtnewington@...> wrote:

Thanks guys, very useful information. Looks like Marmaris is the place to go.

Nick
On 21 Sep 2019, at 18:41, Paul Brown <feeder.brown@...> wrote:

Hello Nick, I had a refit completed to a catamaran 60 foot by Lantana Canvas family in Marmaris and Gocek in 2017, they did 16,000 euros of work from couches, covers, bedding and awnings etc, I was more than happy with their work and handling of the project that we both work together on and their prices were very acceptable following negotiations and the best I have found in the eastern med and perhaps the western med also

Regards Paul - Fortuna II 55/17


On 21 Sep 2019, at 4:08 pm, ngtnewington Newington via Groups.Io <ngtnewington@...> wrote:

Hello fellow Amel owners,

I am thinking of getting some upholstery and canvas work done for Amelia. Specifically I want to replace the saloon cushions and covers. The foam itself is beginning to deteriorate and the covers are pretty tatty.
So that would be a case of replacing like for like.

In addition I would like to have a winter cockpit enclosure made. I have looked at the NV website and their design, it looks good but is pretty expensive.

Next year we will be sailing over to Turkey and the Dodecanese. I was thinking that I might get a good job done in Turkey for a reasonable price. Not to mention the VAT aspect of ordering from NV in France.

I am looking for recommendations for, I guess, Turkey.???? 

Kind regards

Nick

S/Y Amelia AML 54-019

 Kefalonia for now.
Re: Canvas work in Eastern Med

ngtnewington Newington
 

Thanks guys, very useful information. Looks like Marmaris is the place to go.

Nick

On 21 Sep 2019, at 18:41, Paul Brown <feeder.brown@...> wrote:

Hello Nick, I had a refit completed to a catamaran 60 foot by Lantana Canvas family in Marmaris and Gocek in 2017, they did 16,000 euros of work from couches, covers, bedding and awnings etc, I was more than happy with their work and handling of the project that we both work together on and their prices were very acceptable following negotiations and the best I have found in the eastern med and perhaps the western med also

Regards Paul - Fortuna II 55/17


On 21 Sep 2019, at 4:08 pm, ngtnewington Newington via Groups.Io <ngtnewington@...> wrote:

Hello fellow Amel owners,

I am thinking of getting some upholstery and canvas work done for Amelia. Specifically I want to replace the saloon cushions and covers. The foam itself is beginning to deteriorate and the covers are pretty tatty.
So that would be a case of replacing like for like.

In addition I would like to have a winter cockpit enclosure made. I have looked at the NV website and their design, it looks good but is pretty expensive.

Next year we will be sailing over to Turkey and the Dodecanese. I was thinking that I might get a good job done in Turkey for a reasonable price. Not to mention the VAT aspect of ordering from NV in France.

I am looking for recommendations for, I guess, Turkey.???? 

Kind regards

Nick

S/Y Amelia AML 54-019

 Kefalonia for now.
Re: A54 fridge circulation pump

Oliver Henrichsen, SV Vela Nautica
 

Hello guys!

We replaced the pump motor by an brushless motor. We had similar lifespan and shorter. Additional the original pump wasted lots of energy in wear.
We also changed the insulation of the freezer to modern vacum boards. Before the freezer compressor was 24 h on, due to poor insulatin. Now we got up to 1.5 h a day to keep it cool.
We also changed the fridge and freezer temperature controll to microcontroller.

Was a hell of a work.

Oliver from Vela Nautica
AMEL54 #39
Portugal


Sent from my Huawei Mobile


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [AmelYachtOwners] A54 fridge circulation pump
From: Sv Garulfo
To: Yahoo Group Amel
CC:


Hello

We have flojet 32601 -0092 Quad series pump r4105512a. ( 12v, 1.5 A max, 1.6 gpm 6.1 lpm, 50 psi 3.4 max) installed onboard as circulation pump for fridges/freezer.

They are relatively easy to source.
We have previously replaced ours and have recently put the spare in service.
They seem to run for about 14months before the brushes wear out (more precisely, the springs on the brushes hit the backstops, brushes still having plenty of material). The pump can be dismantled and refurbished.
* For those running the same model, have you noticed similar lifespan?
* Has anyone installed an alternative model for longer service?
We weren’t expecting to have to replace them this often, and the brushes don’t seem to be available from the vendor for repair.
This may have already been addressed in a previous topic but we couldn’t locate the thread.

Thanks!

Best,


Thomas & Soraya
GARULFO
A54-122
Rangiroa, French Polynesia

www.instagram.com/svgarulfo
Re: Annapolis Boat Show

Matt Salatino
 

Pat and Diane,
Everyone wants to be near you!

~~~⛵️~~~Matt

On Sep 21, 2019, at 8:15 AM, Patrick McAneny via Groups.Io <sailw32@...> wrote:

Charles, Initially I reserved a table for 8 then 12 and a couple of days ago called and asked if we could get a table for 16 . We now have 15 coming ,so I guess we can squeeze in 17 ,so please join us. I will not ,even if possible try to get a larger table ,I don't think they want to hear from me again. So if anyone else would like to come ,please just show up and you probably can get a table nearby,we will be upstairs. 
See Ya There,
Pat & Diane
SM Shenanigans


-----Original Message-----
From: Charles Bell <shipbldr2000@...>
To: main <main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io>
Sent: Fri, Sep 20, 2019 10:42 am
Subject: Re: [AmelYachtOwners] Annapolis Boat Show

Hello Pat,

We will also be at the show and would like to join the group for dinner if there is space enough for the two of us.

Thank you,

Charles & Hae
SV Jupiter
Mango #29

Re: Annapolis Boat Show

Matt Salatino
 

We’re in!
May be a minute or 5 late, as I am helping a friend work his booth at the show.

~~~⛵️~~~Matt

On Sep 19, 2019, at 8:12 AM, Patrick McAneny via Groups.Io <sailw32@...> wrote:

I was able to reserve a table for ten at Mangia's Italian Grill ,81 Main St. across from the show , for 6:30 pm on Friday ,Oct. 11 . 
Those attending are: 
Matt & Cindy ,Speed of Light A50
Scott & ? ,Tengah A54
Mike & Tom, Aletes SM
Pat & Diane ,Shenanigans SM
Kent, Kristy SM
Bill & Karen, Harmonie SM

We Look forward to seeing you all there,
Pat & Diane,
SV Shenanigans


-----Original Message-----
From: Patrick McAneny via Groups.Io <sailw32@...>
To: main <main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io>
Sent: Mon, Sep 9, 2019 8:00 am
Subject: Re: [AmelYachtOwners] Annapolis Boat Show

Kent, Too bad Iris can't make it ,but will see you there. I will make reservations ,if they take it for 6:30 ,looks like eight now ,I will wait to later this week to see if anyone else wants to join us.
Pat
SM Shenanigans


-----Original Message-----
From: karkauai via Groups.Io <karkauai@...>
To: main <main@amelyachtowners.groups.io>
Sent: Sun, Sep 8, 2019 7:11 pm
Subject: Re: [AmelYachtOwners] Annapolis Boat Show

I will be there, too.  Iris is working a special event and can’t come.
Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Kent Robertson
S/V Kristy
USA cell: 828-234-6819

On Sep 8, 2019, at 8:41 AM, Mike Ondra via Groups.Io <mdondra@...> wrote:

Sounds good, Pat. Magnia Friday night and you had put 6:30 on the table.
Seems a number of us will be on Back Creek so let’s see if there is interest in dinner at Davis’ on Thursday evening.
Mike
Aletes SM#240
 
From: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io <main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io> On Behalf Of Patrick McAneny via Groups.Io
Sent: Sunday, September 8, 2019 7:47 AM
To: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io
Subject: Re: [AmelYachtOwners] Annapolis Boat Show
 
Mike, Assuming everyone will be at the show, Mangia's is very convenient , right across the street from the show,a two minute walk. Its also a very nice place with great food , it also would not require people to somehow travel to Back Creek as the show is letting out.
Hope to see ya there,
Pat
SM Shenanigans

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Ondra via Groups.Io <mdondra@...>
To: main <main@amelyachtowners.groups.io>
Sent: Sat, Sep 7, 2019 5:50 pm
Subject: Re: [AmelYachtOwners] Annapolis Boat Show
Hi Pat. Tom and I hope to be there Thursday and Friday. A nice dinner place on Back Creek would be Davis’s Pub which a block from Mears Marina. May avoid some of the downtown hubbub. Rustic, good food and popular with the locals even during the week so reservations may be appropriate if they do them. Maybe both Thursday and Friday night Especially if Friday doesn’t work for some. Just a thought.
Mike
Aletes SM240

On Sep 7, 2019, at 6:55 AM, Patrick McAneny via Groups.Io <sailw32@...> wrote:
Kent ,would Friday about 6:30 work for you & Iris.
Pat
SM Shenanigans

-----Original Message-----
From: karkauai via Groups.Io <karkauai@...>
To: main <main@amelyachtowners.groups.io>
Sent: Fri, Sep 6, 2019 7:02 pm
Subject: Re: [AmelYachtOwners] Annapolis Boat Show
Hi Pat,
Tell us when and where, I will be there, Iris may be able to come too.
Kent
SN243/Kristy
.
On Sep 6, 2019, at 9:49 AM, Matt Salatino via Groups.Io <helmsmatt@...> wrote:
Speed of Life
Amel 50, #27
~~~⛵️~~~Matt

On Sep 6, 2019, at 9:36 AM, Patrick McAneny via Groups.Io <sailw32@...> wrote:
Matt, Ok thats one vote for Fri. What is the name/model of your boat ?
Pat 
SM #123

-----Original Message-----
From: Matt Salatino via Groups.Io <helmsmatt@...>
To: main <main@amelyachtowners.groups.io>
Sent: Fri, Sep 6, 2019 8:49 am
Subject: Re: [AmelYachtOwners] Annapolis Boat Show
Cindy and I are driving in for the entire show. We have a previous engagement on Saturday, October 12, but Friday would be good.......
~~~⛵️~~~Matt

On Sep 6, 2019, at 8:12 AM, Patrick McAneny via Groups.Io <sailw32@...> wrote:
Diane and I will be sailing to the boat show this year, as we have for the last 35 yrs. We would be anchored in the main anchorage and would invite everyone out to the boat for drinks and pizza and we could do that. But it may be more convenient to meet at a local restaurant across the street from the show. Mangia Italian Grill has great pizza ,etc. and is only about 100 ft. from the show. Friday or Sat. about 6:30 would work for us ,Sat. may be busier . If anyone would be interested, lets get a head count .
Seya There,
Pat & Diane,
SV Shenanigans

-----Original Message-----
From: karkauai via Groups.Io <karkauai@...>
To: main <main@amelyachtowners.groups.io>
Sent: Thu, Sep 5, 2019 9:29 am
Subject: [AmelYachtOwners] Annapolis Boat Show
Iris and I will be driving over to Annapolis for the show.  If there’s a get-together for dinner and/or drinks, we’d like to join in.
Kent Robertson
S/V Kristy SM243
St Michaels, MD

On Sep 4, 2019, at 10:23 AM, Mark McGovern <mfmcgovern@...> wrote:
Mike,

No problem.  JL Mertz's Speedi-Sleeve idea is a good one too as the surface finish on the shaft is really not good enough to ensure a good seal with the oil seal. 

Regarding the Annapolis Boat Show, we will definitely be at the show but we are not sure if we will taking Cara or just driving.  It's such a zoo around there at that time and we can't take the days off work to get there early enough to be ensured of a decent anchoring spot.  Definitely let me know what the plans are as they develop!

--
Mark McGovern
SM #440 Cara
Deale, MD USA

A54 fridge circulation pump

Sv Garulfo
 

Hello

We have flojet 32601 -0092 Quad series pump r4105512a. ( 12v, 1.5 A max, 1.6 gpm 6.1 lpm, 50 psi 3.4 max) installed onboard as circulation pump for fridges/freezer.

They are relatively easy to source.
We have previously replaced ours and have recently put the spare in service.
They seem to run for about 14months before the brushes wear out (more precisely, the springs on the brushes hit the backstops, brushes still having plenty of material). The pump can be dismantled and refurbished.
* For those running the same model, have you noticed similar lifespan?
* Has anyone installed an alternative model for longer service?
We weren’t expecting to have to replace them this often, and the brushes don’t seem to be available from the vendor for repair.
This may have already been addressed in a previous topic but we couldn’t locate the thread.

Thanks!

Best,


Thomas & Soraya
GARULFO
A54-122
Rangiroa, French Polynesia

www.instagram.com/svgarulfo
Re: Converting my Amel 54 to lithium batteries: what I did, what I like and what I don't like (after one year of full time live aboard use)

Sv Garulfo
 

Hi all,

Scott, thanks a lot for your write up, I’ve just caught up on some of the forum topics after weeks offline and it’s a great source of info for the group. 

I’d like to add some info to the discussion and maybe some answers to Scott’s questions, based on our experience of upgrading our Amel 54 to Lithium 2 years ago. 

Intro:
When we decided to upgrade to Lithium, the design principles were the following:
- backward compatibility with previous battery types, we wanted to be able to easily go back to standard batteries (agm, gel, whatever) in case things didn’t work out, anywhere in the world. 
- minimal impact on the boat. Again, ability to undo all changes and no compromise with the boat build. 
- ease of implementation so that we could do it ourselves (Note we both are electrical engineers).
- maximum redundancy.


Previous system (all original from the yard):
As 54s are not all the same, it’s important to note where we started from:
- 12 x 12V 105Ah batteries, from 2009. Most were very much reaching end of life.1x 12V 105Ah starter battery, of the same type and age,
- MasterVolt ChargeMaster 24/100-3 battery charger,
- MasterVolt ChargeMaster 24/40 battery charger,
- MasterVolt 24/110 alternator with Alpha Pro regulator,
- MasterVolt Mass Sine 24/800 inverter, feeding a separate 230V circuit at the chart table. Located in the locker underneath the chart table. 
- xantrex battery monitor
- Onan 11.5KW generator,
- Dessalator Duo 100 watermaker,
- no dive compressor, sadly
- no passerelle
- simpsons electrical davits


Upgraded system changes:
- 2 MasterVolt MLI Ultra 24/5000 Lithium batteries (180Ah each), with 500A fuses and Blue Sea Systems ML deconnection relays,
- 1 extra 12V 105Ah spare starter battery,
- 3x 300W solar panels with 1 MasterVolt Solar ChargeMaster 60 MPPT-MB regulator,
- Alpha Pro 2 regulator to replace the Alpha Pro. 
- MasterVolt 24/3500-100 Combi Pro inverter charger,
- MasterBus network linking all MasterVolt components (except the 800W inverter that’s not compatible),
- MasterVolt EasyView 5 system controller,
- MasterVolt MasterBus USB interface to control/configure the system from a PC,
- Decommissioned 40A charger,
- other elements unchanged. 

(There are also a couple more MasterVolt products that we use for the Watt&Sea hydrogenerators, but it’s off topic)


1. MasterBus:
All MasterVolt components are daisy chained with a MasterBus network allowing them to be aware of each others and controlled centrally. 

All relevant MasterVolt components onboard were already compatible except the alternator regulator. That was a key point in our choice to go with a 100% MasterVolt solution.
So we ‘simply’ had to pass network cables from the batteries compartment to the chart table, to the engine room via the existing ceiling conduits.

The EasyView5 screen allows for monitoring and control of the MasterVolt components on the network. You can see voltages, currents, temp, wattages, charging phases and many others things for the batteries, chargers, solar controller, etc. You can touchscreen start/stop operation on all those too. We located it at the chart table on the panel hidding all the wiring. We retained the xantrex controller. 

The USB interface allows to connect a PC to the network to monitor, control and configure the components, for instance set the charger’s profile for Lithium (a simple choice in a drop down list). It’s also used to configure the various signals that let the BMS drive the charging components. 

2. Batteries:
We chose MasterVolt MLI for compatibility and ease of implementation. 2 fit easily in the battery compartment without modification. MasterVolt says they can be kept upright or on their long side. They would only fit on their long side. Keeping them upright would have required a reconstruction of the compartment that we were not prepared to do, although one could then fit more than 2. 
We worked some numbers and figured that 360Ah of Lithium would be enough for our needs.

The integrated Battery Management System  can disconnect the batteries if necessary by commanding the relays. 

In order to maintain the Amel redundancy between the starter battery and the service batteries, we have a spare 12V battery, in case. 

I second Scott’s point on the loss of weight (minus 210kg) and the subsequent port list...


3. Alternator and charge controller:
The Alpha Pro regulator is not MasterBus compatible so we changed it to it Alpha Pro 2 version. It’s relatively easy to do and has the same footprint. That way, the batteries can stop the charging from the alternator if required. As Jean-Pierre Germain said, it’s also a good way to have a button on the EasyView controller screen to stop the charging. 

4. Chargers:
Reconfigured to MLI charging profile and unplugged the temp sensors (as per documentation specs)

5. Solar:
3x300W Bisol BMO-300 solar panels, mounted on an arch above the davits. We chose cheaper panels, favouring watts per dollar, figuring they could be consumables exposed to marine abuse and didn’t want to go top of the range. 

We opted to wire them in series, with cabling thick enough to change to parallel if required. The main reason is to limit the power loss in the rather long cabling to the MPPT. We thought of the shading problem but figured that in the trade winds at anchor, the mizzen mast rarely gets in the way of the sun. We move the SSB antenna out of the way from time to time.
Happy to be wrong on that choice. 

MPPT:
We had to choose a beefier MPPT to handle the wattage. Unfortunately that meant it’s big and couldn’t be located everywhere. We put it in the wet locker on the bulkhead shared by the batteries switches compartment. 

6. New MassCombi Pro 24V/3500W-100A charger/inverter:
A year later (Aug 2018) we installed an extra charger inverter. It’s mounted in the engine room, near the 100A charger on the perpendicular bulkhead, where I’ve seen the yard install a smaller inverter on other 54s. It’s a tight fit. 
We chose the Pro version over the Ultra version as we thought the extra small solar mppt didn’t justify the higher cost. 
Like Scott, we bypassed the 230V genset/dock  switch box as the unit handles the switch with configurable priorities. 

It takes 230V cables from both the genset and dock. Luckily those were long enough. The 230V cables to the 230V panels too. And amazingly fortunately, the 24V cables from the 40A charger were long and thick enough to handle the 100A of charging and the 3500W of inverting. So we simply decommissioned the 40A charger and used the cabling for the new combi. Amel installed the 40A charger for dock usage to avoid tripping 230V/16A fuses. We maintain that idea with a function of the combi whereby you can configure the max current it will take from shore power (and also separately, how much from the genset) and reduce charging to comply with those limits. 

We start/monitor/stop the charging process from the EasyView controller. We configured the max output taken from the genset to 40A/230V (about 80% capacity) and we charge the batteries with both 100A chargers, make water, heat water, run air con, induction cooker and let the combi adjust its own charging to comply. That way the generator is loaded up properly, whenever we use it (maybe  once a week/fortnight depending on sun).
The rest of the time, we enjoy 230V appliances without notice, if not without restriction. The joy of shop-vac cleaning the engine room at anchor is hard to describe. 


Questions:

The deconnection relays by Blue Seas are as recommended by MasterVolt. Scott, there might be a solution there for you. 

Regarding the shore power and 100% SOC issue, I don’t have an answer. We haven’t plugged into shore for 18 months. I would also wonder what 100% (or 90%) SOC means in terms of voltage/charge current as it’s otherwise relative and depends on the monitor.  Then we can see if the BMS can be configured to stop various chargers at those levels. 


Costs:

Solar:
Stainless arch: €2,274
Panels: €675
Mppt: €599
Cabling, fuse: €247
Total: €3,795 ($4,190)

Lithium:
MLI batteries: €10,331
Relays: €434
Cabling, Fuses: €319
MasterBus cables, crimping tool and crimps: €118 
EasyView 5: €319
Usb adaptor: €154
Alpha pro 2 regulator: €285
Labour:€120
Total: €12,080 ($13,336)

Mass Combi Pro inverter charger: $2,847


Now I feel a bit like a MasterVolt rep. I’m not, and the omnipresence of the brand on Garulfo is simply a continuation of the choices made by Amel. There may be better, cheaper or otherwise preferable alternatives but we tried to minimise the changes to our boat and get the best value for money. We hope it’s a sound investment, especially considering the added value of extra comfort while cruising. Only time will tell, though. 

Any questions/feedback, let us know. We might not be able to answer straight away as we are bandwidth impaired at the best of times and sometimes offline for weeks here in the Tuamotus. 

Best,

Thomas and Soraya
GARULFO 
A54-122
Rangiroa, Tuamotu, French Polynesia
Instagram: @svgarulfo



On Mon, 9 Sep 2019 at 09:27, svperegrinus@... via Groups.Io <svperegrinus=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:

With regard to

the sensing wire was loose at the alternator

Yes, this is a risk.  One way to reduce the risk is to have a MasterShunt in the battery box.  This is what we did.

When a MasterShunt is present on the MasterBus, the Alpha Pro regulator looks to get its battery charge info from the MasterShunt.  Since the MasterShunt is installed  in a vibration-free zone, and adjacent to the batteries, the chances of a damaged or loose wire are minimal.

A secondary way I manage this risk is by feeding a small B&G chart plotter we have on deck with 24V.  This Zeus2 chart plotter is set to display its VSUPPLY on its databar at all times.  After several years cruising, I've gotten quite used to peeking at that little square from time to time for the current voltage.

A tertiary way is to have a voltage monitor on at all times (an EasyView 5, in our case).  We have it highly visible from the companionway; it never sleeps.

We've never yet had an over-voltage event, so those cautions look unnecessary.  May it be so always!

Cheers,

 

sv Peregrinus
underway by sail, from the Ems to the Vliestroom 
Re: New file uploaded to main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io

Roque
 



Nicely done,  Gary! Congrats.

Thanks for taking the time.

Roque
Attika A54 #117
Paraty

Em dom, 22 de set de 2019 às 10:56, Mark McGovern <mfmcgovern@...> escreveu:

Gary,

Perfect timing!  This is next on my To Do list after rebuilding the Main Furler.  Thank you!
--
Mark McGovern
SM #440 Cara
Deale, MD USA

Re: New file uploaded to main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io

Mark McGovern
 

Gary,

Perfect timing!  This is next on my To Do list after rebuilding the Main Furler.  Thank you!
--
Mark McGovern
SM #440 Cara
Deale, MD USA
New file uploaded to main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io

main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io Notification <main+notification@...>
 

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io group.

File: Amel – Super Maramu 2000 – Mizzen Furling Gearbox Overhaul Final.doc

Uploaded By: Gary Silver

Description:
SM Mizzen Furling Gearbox Overhaul

You can access this file at the URL:
https://AmelYachtOwners.groups.io/g/main/files/Amel%20%E2%80%93%20Super%20Maramu%202000%20%E2%80%93%20Mizzen%20Furling%20Gearbox%20Overhaul%20Final.doc

Cheers,
The Groups.io Team
Re: [EXTERNAL] - [AmelYachtOwners] Berth in Lisbon area

Joerg Esdorn
 

Thanks I am aware of the anchorage and that’s where I am headed if I don’t find a berth somewhere.  Jose, thanks for the offer but if you don’t have a permanent berth in Cascais, There is no point in calling them again. I already asked the OCC port officer check it out and he confirmed that the place was truly packed.  Cheers. Joerg 
Re: Berth in Lisbon area

Joerg Esdorn
 

Thanks very much for the responses.   I am waitlisted  at cascais, Oreias and Parque Naciones marinas but I was hoping someone had a permanent berth anywhere in Lisbon and was not using it currently.  I’ve been told that the marinas sometimes fail to keep track of vacant permanent berth and do not rent them out.  

Joerg Esdorn
A55 Kincsem